13-08-2012, 08:57
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Exeter, UK
Boat: Lagoon 560
Posts: 45
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Sat Phone
Hi. I'm after a sat phone as a back up to my fleet broadband system.
I'm after one that I can plug a data cable into to get internet on my laptop. It would only be for emergency use if the other system goes down.
Can anyone help ?
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13-08-2012, 09:23
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, California - Read about our circumnavigation at www.rutea.com
Boat: Contest 48
Posts: 1,056
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Re: Sat Phone
Our Iridium Sat Phone is only capable of 9600 baud, which is far too slow to be able to browse the Internet. It is, though, fine for sending and receiving text-only emails and, obviously, for placing and receiving phone calls.
Fair winds and calm seas.
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14-08-2012, 01:49
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Exeter, UK
Boat: Lagoon 560
Posts: 45
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Re: Sat Phone
Would it be suitable to reciev grib files for weather forcasts ?
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14-08-2012, 07:35
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, California - Read about our circumnavigation at www.rutea.com
Boat: Contest 48
Posts: 1,056
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Re: Sat Phone
We receive GRIB files easily using our Iridium phone.
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14-08-2012, 07:45
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Exeter, UK
Boat: Lagoon 560
Posts: 45
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Re: Sat Phone
OK. Thanks. But I guess your not selling it ?
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14-08-2012, 08:22
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, California - Read about our circumnavigation at www.rutea.com
Boat: Contest 48
Posts: 1,056
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Re: Sat Phone
Oops. Sorry. I misunderstood the nature of your initial question. We are not selling ours.
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14-08-2012, 08:33
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Exeter, UK
Boat: Lagoon 560
Posts: 45
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Re: Sat Phone
Ha. Thats OK. Thaks for the info though.
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14-08-2012, 09:00
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Tampa Bay area, USA
Boat: Beneteau First 42
Posts: 3,961
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Re: Sat Phone
If your objective is merely to down load GRIB files and make calls periodically, you can easily get by with a GlobalStar phone and service which is far less costly than an Iridium. The compromise is that you may have to wait for coverage from time-to-time. Coverage isn't bad but one does have to wait once in awhile. GlobalStar has been promising full-time coverage with new Sat's for years and may have, in fact, had some launched, but, if so, I haven't noticed any difference.
Should you have an interest in a GlobalStar phone, PM me as we have one-quite elaborate-that we are not using that I have been considering selling.
FWIW...
__________________
"It is not so much for its beauty that the Sea makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air, that emanation from the waves, that so wonderfully renews a weary spirit."
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15-08-2012, 04:52
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 27
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Re: Sat Phone
not to derail the thread... but by way of derailing the thread; when you say 'wait for coverage', what are we talking here? Just put the phone down for 5 minutes and try again, or pack it in and wait 5 hours? a day?
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15-08-2012, 05:30
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Tampa Bay area, USA
Boat: Beneteau First 42
Posts: 3,961
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Re: Sat Phone
Quote:
Originally Posted by CapTim
not to derail the thread... but by way of derailing the thread; when you say 'wait for coverage', what are we talking here? Just put the phone down for 5 minutes and try again, or pack it in and wait 5 hours? a day?
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Coverages vary all day long from place to place. To get a better idea of coverages, click on Globalstar Call Times Tool click on the "I Agree" box and on the subsequent page, enter the Lat/Lon of some of the areas you think you'll be visiting.
FWIW...
__________________
"It is not so much for its beauty that the Sea makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air, that emanation from the waves, that so wonderfully renews a weary spirit."
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24-08-2012, 04:29
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Exeter, UK
Boat: Lagoon 560
Posts: 45
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Re: Sat Phone
Quote:
Originally Posted by nhschneider
We receive GRIB files easily using our Iridium phone.
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What sort of contract do you opperate ?
Pay as you go ?
It seems the sim cards run out quite quickly ?
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24-08-2012, 06:03
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, California - Read about our circumnavigation at www.rutea.com
Boat: Contest 48
Posts: 1,056
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Re: Sat Phone
We just bought a new SIM for our Iridium phone and it comes with 500 minutes and they expire if not used within a year from activation. The new SIM cost US$833.00, which is up significantly from the last time we purchased it. Regardless, we dislike making blue-water passages without it.
Fair winds and calm seas.
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24-08-2012, 07:47
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Montegut LA.
Boat: Now we need to get her to Louisiana !! she's ours
Posts: 3,421
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Re: Sat Phone
Gosh we get all that stuff with our old SSB, and we don't have as much money in it as what it cost ya for a yrs service !! I think I just have to keep on working with Old Fashion stuff LOL don't mean to jack your thread, I just can't believe they cost so much to buy and run one of these phones !! just my 2 cents
__________________
Bob and Connie
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